The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently going through the trials and tribulations of a NFL season as the team has saw a handful of guys go down with an injury. Pittsburgh lost defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale to a torn ACL during the teams matchup with the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, and the defense also lost DeShon Elliott as he went down with a knee injury as well. His injury isn't thought to be as serious, but he is expected to miss some time as he is considered week-to-week.
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Steelers safety DeShon Elliott looks towards the crowd as Pittsburgh faces off against an opponent on the road during the 2024 NFL regular season.
Elliott's absence is big for the Pittsburgh defense. The secondary has not been good as a whole during the 2025 season, but he has been a bright spot. He has some big shoes to fill, and the organization is getting started on that process as Head Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed during his press conference on Tuesday that the team is working out a pair of safeties in Pittsburgh on Tuesday.
"We're also working out Vonn Bell and Eddie Jackson today," Tomlin said. "It's just a normal procedure for us on Monday and Tuesday, like it is for the other 31 teams. We're continually evaluating what's out there, and how we could potentially be better. If we sign them you'll hear about it."
Pittsburgh needs help at safety as the team is seriously weak at the position without Elliott. Eddie Jackson is a player who has been an All-Pro before and could show some production, and Vonn Bell has been a consistent player throughout his career.
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Eddie Jackson during his time with the Chicago Bears celebrating after a home game.
Tomlin's made sure to emphasize that having both players in for a workout is common practice for any organization in the league, and that it does not guarantee anyone will be signed. Either Jackson or Bell could provide some experience and depth in the secondary, but neither player should really be relied upon to come in and contribute right away.
Jackson last played during the 2024 season as he played in 11 total games split between the Baltimore Ravens and the Los Angeles Chargers. He recorded 30 combined tackles and a pass breakup, and he clearly does not have the same spark to his play that he used to when he was putting up All-Pro numbers with the Chicago Bears.
Bell spent he 2024 season with the Cincinnati Bengals, and he has bounced around a good amount during his career. He spent the most time with the New Orleans Saints and the Bengals. In 2024, he played in 11 games while starting one for the infamously bad Cincinnati defense. He recorded 55 total tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception.
AP Photo / Matt Durisko
Former Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Zach Gentry (81) is tackled by former Cincinnati Bengals safety Vonn Bell (24) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Pittsburgh, PA.
Steelers Need More Out Of Current Safety Room
With Elliott out, the Steelers are going to need players that are already on the roster to step up. A player on the outside is not going to be able to come into Pittsburgh and fix things at this point in the season, so the best hope for the secondary is that players find a way to improve. This will fall on Chuck Clark and Jabrill Peppers. Both players were added for the 2025 season, and Clark has been a liability while he is on the field aside from a few pass breakups. Peppers can be a force in run support, which is something Pittsburgh desperately needs.
If the franchise can get improved play from those two, and the same goes for Juan Thornhill who has had a rough couple of outings for the Steelers. If either Bell or Jackson gets signed, hopefully they can make some sort of a difference, but it is unlikely at this stage in the year.
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